§ 36. Lieut.-Colonel APPLINasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware of the block in promotion of subalterns to the rank of captain, and that in many regiments there are subalterns of 15, 16 and even 17 years' service, with no immediate prospect of promotion; and whether the War Office will consider the advisability of granting the brevet rank of captain to all officers of over 10 years' service who have qualified for that rank?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Duff Cooper)I am aware of the existing block in promotion to the rank of captain. The matter was fully examined last year and, as a result, an increase of 2s. a day was approved in the rate of pay of 1582 lieutenants of cavalry, infantry and Royal Tank Corps having 13 years' commissioned service. The question of instituting a rank of brevet captain was considered but was not approved.
§ Lieut.-Colonel APPLINIs my hon. Friend aware that in the Royal Engineers subalterns are promoted to-day to the rank of captain after 10 years' service, and that there is very grave discontent in the Army among officers generally at the lack of promotion of subalterns of over 10 years' service, and especially when they have reached 17 years' service?
§ Mr. COOPERI am aware of that difficulty, which, of course, is due to officers not leaving the Army as frequently as they used to do at an older age, and therefore there is a block in many regiments. It was fully considered last year by the Army Council, and it was decided that this matter probably would be best dealt with by giving to subalterns with a certain amount of service increased pay rather than greater rank.
§ Lieut.-Colonel APPLINOwing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give the hon. Member notice that I shall raise this question on the Army Estimates, or on the Adjournment, if I have an opportunity.